Perfume vase (aryballos)

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Narrow lip, yellow clay, brown varnish, diamonds and rosettes: four birds walking to right: rosettes and zig-zags in field; rays. "The cosmetic use of oil by both sexes, especially male athletes, was important, and aryballos became an essential piece of equipment.... Many of the early examples...

Narrow lip, yellow clay, brown varnish, diamonds and rosettes: four birds walking to right: rosettes and zig-zags in field; rays. "The cosmetic use of oil by both sexes, especially male athletes, was important, and aryballos became an essential piece of equipment.... Many of the early examples carry only the close-set parallel stripes introduced in [the late geometric period] but there are also many now with figure friezes added, with flowers and animals, the latter mainly drawn in outline (whole or part) although incision for detail is beginning. Most backgrounds are filled with a variety of small geometric or floral devices." John Boardman, Early Greek Vase Painting, Thames and Hudson, 1998.

Provenance

By 1903: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: The following objects [MFA 03.805-03.833, 03.836-03.837, 03.906] were found in one cemetery in Campania.); purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, March 24, 1903